Celtics Cannot Hope to Contend With Elite Teams Like Thunder If High Turnover Rate Continues

NESN | Mar 11

Jason Terry‘s pass was not great, but it could have been caught. Perhaps it should have been caught. It was not, though, and that said everything about the Celtics’ loss to the Thunder on Sunday. As the Celtics guard dribbled down the lane on a three-on-two break late in the first quarter, he tried to dish off to Chris Wilcox moving ahead of him on the left. The bounce pass was low and slightly behind Wilcox, and after the big man fumbled the ball out of bounds, Terry tapped his own chest and mouthed the words, “My bad.” It was only one out of a hideous 18 turnovers on the day, but no single moment better captured why this was a game the Celtics were not going to win — and why they must fix the issue if they plan on sticking around for more than a token appearance in the playoffs. Turnovers have popped up as an issue for the Celtics at times since Rajon Rondo‘s season-ending injury, which is to be expected somewhat when a team loses its best ball-handler. Rather than wilt with a stilted offense, however, the Celtics have responded with a different offensive approach in which more turnovers might not be completely surprising. They are running more, throwing the ball ahead and passing it from side-to-side in the halfcourt, actions that tend to lead to more misfired passes and errant dribbles. Yet at times the Celtics have been downright stingy with the ball. Other times, not. Sunday in Oklahoma City was one of the “not” times. While turnovers were not the Celtics’ only problem — they also shot less than 38 percent from the field and allowed 33 free throws by the Thunder — it was the most glaring, controllable flaw in their performance.